Hi Please could I ask for everyone's opinion on this little skipper I spotted in the field at the back of our house? Are those tips black enough for Essex?? http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/walpolec/forum%20images/P7264405.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/walpolec/forum%20images/P72644...

A great trip report, thanks Pete.

Stunning images of the butterflies and the views.

All the best

Chris

Hi Adrian I was at Twywell on Wednesday late afternoon. Like you, I saw loads of Dingy and Grizzled Skippers (ratio 3:1). Hats off to the local branch of BC who are very active in maintaining the site to the benefit of these species. I rate Twywell as a special place butterfly-wise; it's always a re...

I know it doesn't really count, but here's my first sighting of a Small Tortoishell in 2012. Spotted him/her in the shed on Sunday...



Chris

Definitely elm (the base of the leaf is asymmetrical) - Wych elm I believe. So yes, could have been a WLH! Cheers, - Pete Thanks Pete (and to Piers for the PM) Weather permitting I'm hoping to go back to the site in question tomorrow for another look. I suppose the butterfly must have been WLH beca...

I've an unusual request. I'd be very grateful for an I.D of a butterfly I didn't actually get a photo of :? The story goes that I was out on my morning run in the heat of last Sunday and stopped short when I saw what was clearly a Hairstreak feeding on some red clover. Having never had the pleasure ...

..but what's this on our oregano?



Length ~8mm

Any ideas?

Hello - saw a pale-looking Dingy Skipper last week. Pictured below with a "normal" one for comparison. Is the pale one unusual or just old?! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/walpolec/forum%20images/P5040715.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/walpolec/forum%20images/P5040778.jpg...

A beaut day which deserved to feature some butterflies! Pleased to see my first of the year, on a visit to Loughborough, Leics. Must have seen about 5 Small Torts overall.


Chris

Thanks for the reminder about viewing the International Space Station. We've been following it for several years via the Heavens Above website. Such a feat of mathematics/programming to produce such accurate predictions. Had a lovely view (well, just a bright dot actually) about half an hour ago. I ...

A Red Admiral in my back garden Saturday 30th Oct.

Chris

Welcome to UKB, Adrian

You've chosen a great combination of hobbies, enjoy!

The only butterfly I saw over the weekend was a Comma, like yours sunning itself and showing off its beautiful colouring.

Chris

I've only seen one PL this year in Northants (or anywhere else for that matter). Feeding on thistle in early August. Didn't see any in 2008 and one or two (ahem) in '09.

Chris

Chris Let me know if you plan to go and I will send a map of where to find a good colony. Mike Thanks Mike Somehow I managed to miss your reply (apologies for not acknowledging it). I thought I might try Totternhoe next week for brood #2, so if you were able to go to the trouble of sending a map I'...

Sussex Kipper wrote:Hi walpolec,
Essex - I can even see the tiny white stilettos.
Neil

Dear Neil

That's great.

And all the more funny as I thought it was a male!

Thanks very much

Chris

I've very much enjoyed hearing of everyone's exploits and am in awe of some of the fantastic images posted recently, so I apologise for asking the following question and showing these very poor quality shots taken on my point-and-shoot in a hurry! Whenever the opportunity arises I have been creeping...

Markulous wrote:150 down to 24cm
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150mm-f2 ... acro-sigma

105 down to 12cm
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/105mm-f2 ... acro-sigma

Thanks very much indeed!

Chris

Personally, I find no difference between using the 105 vs 150 whether handheld or tripoded other than the 150 with it's tripod collar is quick and easy to change from landscape to portrait mode! ..... That's very interesting. Please could you give an indication of the working distance with these tw...

Thank you for all of the replies so far.

I'm leaning more towards the 105, as I'm not a great tri/monopod user. (Perhaps I should try them; I have enough of the damn things)!

Chris

Dear all I decided to resurrect this thread because it concerns exactly the decision I want to make over the next month or so. I use Olympus DSLR's so my choice of lenses is generally limited to Oly and Sigma. Despite owning the Oly 70-300, I find I'm happiest using my 50 macro + 1.4 TC for most of ...